Effect of Vitamin D Status on Vascular Function of the Aorta in a Rat Model of PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Early vascular dysfunction may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease in PCOS. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a common comorbidity of PCOS that contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease and its complications. Both PCOS and VDD are accompanied by increased oxidative stress that may be involved in the arising vascular dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the role of vitamin D status on aortic function. PCOS was induced by an 8-week-long transdermal testosterone treatment of female rats, and low and adequate vitamin D status was achieved by dietary means. Contraction and relaxation abilities of isolated aortic segments were measured by myograph. Resorcin-fuchsin staining and immunohistochemical labeling of 3-nitrotyrosine were performed. No difference was shown in the norepinephrine-induced contraction of the aortas of different groups, whereas we detected reduced acetylcholine- and insulin-evoked relaxation in VDD groups. A lower level of resorcin-fuchsin staining and elevated 3-nitrotyrosine immunostaining was observed in VDD. In our study, we demonstrated early endothelial dysfunction in VDD PCOS rat model. Vitamin D supplementation could prevent vascular disturbances, while VDD itself damaged endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and induced nitrative stress.

[Lung cancer mortality trends in Asturias (1976-1989)]. / Tendencia de la mortalidad por cáncer de pulmón en Asturias (1976-1989).

BACKGROUND: The Trend of lung cancer mortality rates in Asturias during 14 years is studied in order to know whether it shows the same change pattern described for other countries. METHODS: With this purpose, a graphic study of adjusted and age specific rates, including and analysis of birth cohorts, is carried out, and the change average percentage per year and the sex ratio are calculated. RESULTS: In men, the continuous increase of mortality stands out (change average percentage per year of age adjusted rates of 4.83%) with the only exception of the age group of 45-54 years, which had a variation per year of 1.90%, whereas in women, an overall decrease (-1.18 %) was observed, with the exception of women older than 74 years, who showed an increase of 1.73% per year. In men, the cohorts analysis showed on increasing cohort effect in all generations and a decreasing effect in some women. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer will probably go on increasing in Asturias in the next years, among men, whereas in women, it seems that a generalized decrease has been initiated, mainly in the youngest ones and the, increase, observed in other countries in previous years, is not evident. Additional studies, focused on the reasons for these trends, will be necessary and basically the following up of the evolution in men of 45-54 years, whose incipient decrease may indicate a change of trend, which facilitates hypothesis generation and verification.

Prevalencia del tabaquismo y actitud frente al mismo entre los médicos de Atención Primaria / Prevalence of smoking and attitude towards it among Primary Care Physicians

Fundamento: El tabquismo es la principal causa de enfermedad evitable y el médico juega un papel fundamental en su tratamiento y prevención. Se realizó un estudio para conocer la prevalencia de médicos fumadores en Atención Primaria (AP) y su actitud ante el tabaquismo. Métodos: estudio descriptivo. Se envió una encuesta anónima elaborada para tal fin, a 186 médicos de centros de salud de dos Áreas Sanitarias. Resultados: de 186 encuestas enviadas se obtuvieron 148 respuestas. Edad media, 47,87+/-6,24 años, siendo 58 (39%) varones. El 18,2% (27) eran fumadores y el 43,2% (63), exfumadores. El 80.2% (118) conceden mucha importancia a la función modélica que ejercen ante sus pacientes. El 87,3% (105) de no fumadores frente al 38,4% (11) de fumadores creen que el hecho de que el médico fume influye en su actitud ante el tabaco (p=0,001). El 51% aconsejan siempre a sus pacientes dejar de fumar. El 95,3% (141) consideran que se debería abordar el tabaquismo en AP pero el 37,2% (55) no lo hacen por falta de tiempo. El 71% (20) de los médicos con presión asistencial <35 pacientes/día realizan abordaje al tabaquismo frente al 54% (30) de los que tienen una presión >45 pacientes/día (p=0,357). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de fumadores entre los encuestados es inferior a la población general. Consideran que la función modélica que ejercen es muy importante. La mayoría declaran que el abordaje al tabaquismo debe realizarse en Atención Primaria pero un número importante no lo hace argumentando falta de tiempo (AU)

Background: smoking is the primary cause of avoidable disease and death and the physician plays a fundamental role in its treatment and prevention. A study was made to learn the prevalence of physicians who smoke in Primary Care (PC) and their attitude towards smoking. Methods: descriptive study. An anonymous survey elaborated for this purpose was sent to 186 physiciands in the Health Care Site of two Health Care Areas. Results: a total of 148 answers were obtaine from 186 surveys sent. Mean age 47.87+/-6.24 years, with 58 (39%) men. Of these, 18,2% (27) smoked and 43.2% (63) were ex-smokers and 80.2% (118) considered the model function they have with their patients are very important. A total of 87.3% (105) of non-smokers versus 38.4%(11) of smokers believe that the fact that the physician smokers has an influence on their attitude towards tovaco (p=0.001). Fifty-one percent always recommended that their patients should stop smoking; 95,3% (141) consider that the smoking habit should be dealth with in Primary Care, however, 37,2% (55) do not do so due to lack of time. In regards to dealing with the question of smoking, 71% (20) of those physicians who have a care quota of <35 patients/day do so versus 54% (30) of those who have a quota of >45 patients/day (p=0.357). Conclusions: the prevalence of smokers among those surveyed is less in the general population. We consider that the model function of the physician is very important. Most declare that the approach to smoking should be made in Primary Car, however a significant number do not do so due to lack of time (AU)